A SOUTHAMPTON family has been left devastated after violent thieves broke into their home, attacked their pet dog and stole their beloved parrot.
Burglars struck at Terry Derbyshire’s family home in Shirley and attacked family pet Charlie, a Staffordshirecross rescue dog, before making off with their twoyear- old African grey parrot Sky.
The bird, which the family has owned for six months, is particularly known for its ability to utter an array of swear words.
Terry, 37, said his two teenage children have been left devastated by the burglary and that his dog, normally a boisterous family pet, is now unable to leave anyone’s side.
Terry and his partner Teresa Fitzgerald returned home early Thursday afternoon after being out for the morning to find the house had been burgled.
“Charlie was shaking and had blood on him and the parrot was gone,” said Terry.
“But they didn’t take anything else so we think Sky may have been stolen to order,” he added.
After calling the police Terry took Charlie to the vet and was told he had injuries, which showed he had been severely kicked, with bruising around his head and marks under his body.
“Charlie has completely changed. They really beat him hard,” he said.
“We can’t believe someone would do this. It has really shocked all of us and has devastated my children.”
Speaking about the parrot – which has an array of swear words among its vocabulary – he added: “Sky was my son’s pet. She is a loveable family pet and even knows how to speak her own name.
“We all really miss Sky and it’s not a family without her,” he added.
Police are now appealing for witnesses to the burglary which took place between 8am and 1pm on Thursday and are urging pet stores, bird groups and animal collectors to make contact if anyone tries to sell them an African grey parrot.
A spokeswoman for the Southampton burglary unit said: “This is an unusual burglary where a parrot is the only thing that was stolen.
“We would ask anyone in a bird group or club or anyone that is offered an African grey parrot for sale to get in touch with us immediately.”
Anyone with information can contact the burglary team directly on 023 8059 9997 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Courtesy of The Daily Echo
I am so sad for this family. I hate to think of the terror it must be experiencing with these callous thieves. I keep an African Grey and I would be totally devastated if anything happened to him.
That said I hate it when people teach parrots to swear. Some people think it funny but it is not. No more than hearing a three year child old swear.
Parrots are not a pet to be taken on as a joke. They are intelligent and sensitive and could even out live their keepers.
I hope they had the bird micro chipped because any vet who saw it could then identify.